About

The Office of the Commissioner formulates and overseas the execution of departmental policies, programs and practices, as well as cooperates and coordinates with the Board of Education, the federal government, the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the University of the Virgin Islands and other governmental entities in establishing policies and designing educational programs for grades K-12 and the adult population.

Legal Counsel

Description of the Legal Counsel’s Office

Under the direction of the Commissioner of Education, the Legal Counsel’s Office provides professional legal counsel to the Virgin Islands Department of Education and administers legal services to all Departmental programs, activity centers, and both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix School Districts. The Legal Counsel’s Office prepares and renders legal opinions for the Commissioner, Insular Superintendents, and Leadership Team on education law, Virgin Islands laws, the Constitution and federal laws affecting public elementary and secondary students and Department employees. The Legal Counsel’s Office advises the Commissioner, Insular Superintendents and Department staff on student and employee related matters and investigates written complaints filed by employees or students; functions as the Department’s liaison with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights; and reviews complaints filed by parents or advocacy groups on behalf of students or individuals with disabilities.

The Legal Counsel is engaged in formulating and writing the Department’s Territorial policies and procedures and creating rules and regulations for promulgation by the Department of Education; studies and interprets laws, court decisions, ordinances and other legal authorities. The Legal Counsel drafts contracts, agreements, legal memorandums, and other legal documents including Memorandums of Agreements and Understanding between agencies of the Government, stipulations, releases, affidavits, responses to enforcement agencies notices of violations, etc. and serves as liaison to local and Federal agencies on legal, contractual, and procedural matters involving the Department of Education.

The Legal Counsel drafts legislation for matters affecting the Department through the Commissioner, keeps abreast of legislation, provides legal assistance in reviewing proposed legislation, and represents the Department of Education as an advocate before the Legislature of the Virgin Islands in such matters as directed by the Commissioner. The Legal Counsel’s Office represents the Department of Education at workshops and seminars relating to student matters and participates in in-service education programs with Department staff and conducts staff training sessions and workshops on various issues. The Legal Counsel’s Office provides overall legal support for the Department as it continues its mission – the commitment to the superior preparation and performance of every student for continuing education, rewarding employment, and responsible citizenship.

Welcome to the Virgin Islands Department of Education, where we are committed to preparing our students for success in college or the career of their choice upon graduation from high school. To do this, the Virgin Islands have adopted new, higher academic standards that require students to focus on critical thinking, problem solving and analytical writing. This approach is proven to be the right way forward as we seek to ensure our young people will be successful in the 21st Century. As a Department, we have identified three main priorities through which we filter everything we do: student achievement, organizational culture, and teacher/leader effectiveness. These objectives serve as guideposts to help us remain focused and ensure we are delivering the quality education students deserve.

I invite you to partner with us as we endeavor to transform the Virgin Islands public education system. This can only be done through teamwork. The proper education of our students requires all hands on deck because when our students succeed, we all succeed. I am committed to serving the Territory's children, and supporting our educators and administrators on this wonderful journey. Please join us.